DWR Veterinary Specialists (DWR) is one of the largest specialist multi-disciplinary veterinary referral centres in Europe, offering outstanding levels of clinical care in state-of-the-art facilities.
Our dedicated vets, nurses and nursing assistants, supported by the client care teams teams, are committed to providing the highest quality surgical and medical care for pets. Many of our clinicians are nationally or internationally recognised specialists in their field and bring unique experiences to care for pets.
We accept referrals in Anaesthesia, Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency and Critical Care, Internal Medicine Neurology and Neurosurgery, Oncology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Physiotherapy, Dentistry and Soft Tissue Surgery.
We have comprehensive and established clinical and non-clinical programmes for training, development and CPD.
Your role and responsibilities
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate and enthusiastic Multi-disciplinary RVN to join our Procedures Nursing Team. Working in our busy, purpose-built practice that is fully equipped with the surgical equipment and diagnostic facilities commensurate with a flagship specialist veterinary centre.
The Multi-disciplinary Procedures Nurses are responsible for providing nursing care to our patients across a variety of procedures focused departments including Theatre, Oncology, Dermatology, Dentistry, Cardiology, Internal Medicine and Emergency Receiving. This role would involve rotating around the different departments, building a good knowledge base and a range of practical skills and experience.
Day to day you would be working in smaller teams in the allocated department but by rotating, additional experience can be gained and a wider range of professional relationships developed. Each day is different due to the large variety of cases we see and the role will include nursing of both canine and feline patients with a range of conditions. Our nurses take pride in providing excellent patient care, nursing at DWR is demanding and it can be busy, but it is an incredibly rewarding job!
This position will suit an RVN with a keen interest in supporting patients and veterinary surgeons before, during and after procedures, taking an active and assisting role. There will also be the opportunity to building on and develop anaesthesia skills as this is an essential part of the role. Inpatient care – wards-based nursing would only make up a small proportion of the role.
The suitable candidate should be willing to learn and develop their knowledge in a referral setting. Previous referral experience would be desirable but not essential and newly qualified RVNs will be considered. This is an ideal role if you are keen to explore referral but are not set on an individual discipline. Training will be provided in each of the different departments including anaesthesia.
Please note this is a full-time position, working on a rota of 40 hours per week between the hours of 08:00 and 18:30, Monday to Friday with a 1:4 weekend rota based in wards, 8 hour shifts between 6.30am-6.30pm, TOIL is provided for this. Participation in the Bank Holiday rota is also required.
Key accountabilities
- Undertake a range of nursing duties
- Administer treatment and medications as prescribed by the MRCVS.
- Caring for, and appropriate monitoring of in-patients including some critical care and infectious patients.
- Admitting patients from the MRCVS
- Independently carry out nursing duties such as patient handling and restraint, taking blood samples, placing intravenous catheters.
- Handling, accurate calculation and administration of a variety of drugs in various forms
- Dispense drugs in accordance with professional guidelines and practice policy
- Undertake general cleaning duties and housekeeping of the clinical areas.
- Nursing care of patients pre, during and post procedures and GA/sedations including recovery
- Assisting the MRCVS with a range of procedures in and out of theatre
- Maintain up to date and accurate clinical records including invoicing of provided care
- To communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues, clients and across teams.
- Undertake continuing professional and personal development associated with the role, including required in-house training
- Assisting colleagues as required including PCAs and SVNs
- Comply with the requirements of Health & Safety, other relevant legislation and DWR policies
- Carry out any other reasonable duties within the overall function of the role, occasional work in other areas might be required in line with practice needs.
Benefits
- 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and Birthday Leave
- RCVS and VDS fees paid
- External CPD funded
- Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD program
- Career progression opportunities
- Staff discount schemes
- Enhanced sickness pay
- Employer contribution pension scheme
- Wellness program including:
- Employee assistance program
- Eyecare voucher scheme
- Free annual Flu jab
- Cycle to work scheme
- Recruitment referral reward scheme
At Linnaeus, we are committed to supporting the physical and mental health of all our Associates. We have an amazing team of Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) across our practices and central support office in addition to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme which is available for everyone.
Why Linnaeus?
We are proud to be Linnaeus, part of Mars.
Linnaeus is a forward-thinking group of highly respected primary care and specialist referral practices in the UK and Ireland. Being family owned and part of Mars Veterinary Health, the largest veterinary company in the world, allows us to focus on advancing the veterinary profession to provide industry-leading pet care and unique career opportunities for our people.
- We pride ourselves in offering high-quality excellence of service and clinical care for our clients and their pets
- We lead on sustainability and collectively drive positive change for people, pets and the planet
- We prioritise your mental health and wellbeing – valuing equity, diversity and inclusion
- We support your personal and professional development with best-in-class career frameworks and training programmes. We will empower and support you to grow your career from day one.
We team up within our Mars family in partnership for a stronger future.
Linnaeus is an equal-opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We treat each other fairly and equitably and we are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse for all our Associates.
At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people.